Are you having trouble dealing with a colleague who is always rude to you and others? Are they disrupting the workplace because they don’t support the work culture and don’t fear being called out for their behaviour?
Suppose that is a yes; you may be wondering how to deal with your rude colleague without creating additional problems for the rest of the team.
Below are some great ways to be assertive in dealing with your rude colleagues:
1. Call Them Out For Their Behaviour
Whether your rude colleague is targeting you or you see someone bullied by them, don’t hesitate to call them out and point out they are going too far.
Check how they will react before you consider your options. It is possible they will get embarrassed and recognise their mistake or become defensive. If they are going to escalate the issue further, report them to your team leader immediately.
2. Confront Them In Private
Some people tend to be rude towards others as a way for them to cover their weaknesses or show their presence in a group. If you see that this is the case for your rude colleague, speak to them privately and let them know your concerns.
Ask them why they are being rude to others, and make sure you show a strong front so they won’t bully you. If they need help, offer your help or direct them to those who can help them out.
3. Be A Role Model
They say it is best to show others how you want them to treat you by showing it through your actions.
Become a role model for everyone and be professional in dealing with your colleagues and team leaders. When your rude colleague sees your behaviour, they may be inspired to change their ways and even reach out to you to help them change for the better.
4. Seek Mediation
If dealing with your rude colleague on your own doesn’t work, and they continue to be rude, you may need to seek the help of your management to deal with them. Make sure to list each situation when this colleague acted rudely towards you and others during the mediation process.
If the mediation is done correctly, your rude colleague may be reprimanded for their actions and given a warning for their behaviour.
You should clarify to your rude colleague that you won’t tolerate their behaviour if they do it again and list down the standards you want them to follow. After the mediation, make sure that they do their best to change their ways. If they don’t, speak to your team leader to determine the best action to deal with them.
In Other Words
It is challenging to deal with a rude colleague, especially if you are the target of their rude behaviour. The longer you hold off dealing with them, the more difficult it would be to stop them. Before letting your anger get into you, try out the tips we listed above and don’t hesitate to seek help.
Relationships can sometimes be complicated, especially in a workplace where ideas often clashes creating conflicts. Here are some ways to have a cordial relationship with your coworkers: How to Politely Turn Down After-Work Socialising Without Hurting Your Career or Offending Your Coworkers Understanding the Importance of Positive Relationships in the Workplace 10 Ways to Improve Your Workplace Relationships
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well: Instagram @kallymiddleme Twitter (MiddleMe_net) FaceBook (MiddleMe.net) LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
Comments